Theatrical amusement, educational, and advertising device



W. F. POWERS THEATRICAL AMUSEMENT, EDUCATIONAL, AND ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed March 29 1921 I 7 BY ATTORNEYS Anmsement, Educationa Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UENETE. at TE.

WILLIAM F. POWERS, OF

ENGLEWOO'D, NEW JERSEY.

THEATRICAL AMUSEMENT, EDUCATIGNAL, AND ADVERTISING DEVICE.

Application filed March 29, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. illman F. Pownus, a citizen or the United States, residing in Englewood, county of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, have invented the following new and useful Improvements in Theatrical l, and Advertising Devices.

My invention like those of my other two applications executed respectively on March 24, 1921, and of even date herewith, and filed respectively March 25, 1921, Serial No. and March 29, 1921, Serial No. 456,506, relatesto the combination of a phonograph record and a miniature knockdown, theatrical stage setting together with movable or adjustable actor-figures there.- tor, said stage setting and actor-figures bearing pictorial representations, designs or other insignia corresponding to the words and action of the phonograph record, and being madeot cardboard of such size and contour as to be capable of compactv assembly flatwise with the record in a package of substantially the dimensions now commonly used for the sale and shipment of records, so that the purchaser of such a package can untold or assemble the stage setting and use the same and the movable actor-figures in demonstration or illustra tion of the subject of the record to which said setting refers. I am of course aware that miniature stage mechanism and actor figures have heretofore been made and sold, but so far as I am aware, no one has previously proposed to make and correlate such mechanism with a particular theme of a phonograph record and combine the samewith .its said record in compact commercial package form so as to make thereof a combination that constitutes a sales commodity having edi'icational. recreational and advertisement advantages as above mentioned, and in which the stage setting has a stifiiening effect and serves, as to a certain extent the figures do also, as a protection to the record.

The invention of this application like those of my aforesaid applications is an amusement, educational and advertismg device, and though including subject matter described and clai1ned.in said applications differs from the inventions thereof in that a container tor-a phonograph record forms a part of the background or scenic display of the stage. setting m the device of the Serial No. 456,507.

present application, at least in its preferred enibodiments, although obviously this record container function, though advantageous, may be sacrificed without impairing other distinctive features of the invention hereinafter pointed. out and claimed.

The invention further concerns itself with a miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting, of which when set up the phonograph record container forms a part irrespective of whether or not the container is secured to the stage setting at other times, although I prefer, as in the embodi ment of the invention illustrated herein, to secure one end. of the phonograph record container permanently to the back of the front member of the stage setting, leaving the other end of the container tree'so that when the record is removed it may be moved into the position which it should occupy as the back drop of the stage setting and be retained in this position by suitable means. The back member, in the embodiment illustrated, is reshaped, i. e. some part or parts of it are moved relative to other parts. here the back member is separate, it is necessarily re-located as a whole. The subject matter also includes the combination of the stage setting, the'container and the phonog'aph record and of these and the actor-figures, as well as the details of construction of the stage setting.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the stage setting in flat or knock-down position with the phonograph record in the container, which in the embodiment chosen for illustration terms as stated a permanent part of the stage setting;

Fig. 2 is a perspective viewshowingthe stage setting set up for use with actortigures in position thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on a larger scale on the line IIIIII of Figs. 2 and 3, and

s1: is a plan of the stage setting in set up position furtherillustrating details of construction.

The stage setting and in particular theside of the record container-or otheifiback; member which is visible through the stage opening may bear any suitable artistic illus trativematter suggestiveot' the theme or subject matter of the record. Suclrartistic matter may be specific or general andis oftenv the latter since records are usually double. A perfectly plain background or one merely decorative is lacking in interest. In the present. instance the theme of the record is the familiar storv of Puss-in- Boots and the back drop of the stage setting is illustrated accordingly as shown in Fig. The actor-figures on the stage in that figure are the Marquis of Carabas, Puss-in-Boots, and the princess. Other figures might be the millers son, the king, the reapers, the ogre, the lion, and the mouse, none of which need be shown. The whole story can be enacted on the stage by the operator, usually a delighted child though sometimes an interested older person. Both instruction and entertainment inhere in this well directed literary and dramatic play.

The range of themes or subject matter chosen for record to be thus interpreted may be indefinitely varied through the realms of song, story and other literature and music. Indeed the field from which the maker of phonograph records may select themes for records is by this invention enlarged, since their visual portrayal makes attractive and salable records of subjectssuch for instance as bird calls and bible stories-not otherwise sutliciently interesting to command a ready market.

It is desirable, if not essential, that the stage setting should be of knock-down construction. by which term I mean to include both structures in which the parts of the stage setting are separate and may be assembled, and structures in which the stage setting is flat or capable of being folded fiat or into set up position. \Vith this con strnction and by making the miniature stage setting of appropriate size, it is possible to ship it Hat with the phonograph record in the container associated with the stage setting in an ordinary commercial phonograph record outer receptacle or envelope. By making the stage setting and figures of cardboard or like ,light material, handling and transportation are facilitated and postage reduced.

The stage setting has a front member 1, constituting a stage arch and containing the stage openings. I prefer to provide this member with opposed flaps 2 and 3 iloldable respectively around the top edge and the bottom edge of the stage opening, the flap being designed to constitute the top of the stage space and the flap 3 the stage proper or platform, the shape of which defines the stage space. These flaps are ordinar1ly out free from the member 1 along their edges, but instead the edges may be indicated merely without being out, leaving this to be done by the user of the device who also removes any surplus material and frees the stage opening from obstructions. Folding preferably facilitated by scoring the hues of fold.

It will be understood that, inthe form illustrated, these flaps serve when the stage setting is fiat to protect the background which is on the inside and opposite the obstructed stage opening,

The back member is illustrated as materi ally longer than the width of the stage opening so as to give sufficient stage space when the stage setting is set up and the back member re-shaped to form a scenic background in rear of the stage space and visible through the stage opening. This background is preferably an unbroken. picture on a continuous curved surface which gives a panoramic effect particularly where the curve is the arc of a circle. In the construction shown, the back member takes the form of a phonograph record container 4 which is ordinarily made of the usual thin record envelope paper and constitutes a permanent part of the stage setting, being as ured to the stage setting behind the stage opening through which one side of it is visible. The edge 5 isshown as permanently secured to the back of the front member 1 adjacent one side edge of the stage open ing. When the parts are in flat or knockdown position the record container 4 occupies the position shown in Fig. '1 with the record 6 within it. hen on the contrary the. stage setting is in set up position, the container at from which the phonograph record has been removed being free, except along its edge 5, and flexible, i. e. capable of being bent or folded and so re-shaped, may be moved into any position determined by the contour of the edge of the stage flap which has been bent down into horizontal position and the free edge 7 of the phonograph record container may then be temporarily held in position by any suitable means as the keeper 8 at the other side or ge of the stage opening. The flap 2 having previously been bent up beyond the horizontal is now allowed to move down and rest upon the top edge of the container 4;. The actor-figures shown on the stage platform in Fig. 2 are designated by the numeral 9and their supports by 9. They are cut-outs or adapted to be cutout before being placed on the stage. 7

In the drawings the flap 3 constituting the stage proper or platform is shown as having its edge on the arc of a circle which produces an agreeable effect. It will be understood however that other arrangements are entirely possible, for instance the side of the back member visible through the stage opening might be divided into three panels; the center panel being designed as the back drop and the side panels as wings, the flap P) or stage platform having its edge divided into three parts corresponding to the panels, the central part of the edge being parallel with the stage opening and too llO

lift) the partsaot the edge art-the sides meeting the centralpartatcorresponding angles.

Thenaturaltendency-of the fiap -to resist further bendingwill'ordinarily be suflioient to support it; the figuresor representations being light. but it desired further means of 1 upholdingit; as the tongue -10 adaptedto be passed through the slot 11 in the containert as shown in the cl-rav\'*in s.-o1' a prop of cardboard, or the like maybe provided." Friction 'between the edge of the flap 3 and the side of the container 4 prevents the former:- fron'rmoving up beyond the horizontal even when no tongue is used.--

The stage. setting with the actor-figures constitute arvizualizer OIIClIaHIZlt'lZGFfOI the phonograph recordon which is recorded'for audible indication thereby subject matter susceptible "of dramatic"representation or illustration, to which the appearance of the stage setting is, appropriate and of which the actor figures are illustrative.

Claims:

1.. Thecombination' of a phonograph re ord, actorfigure s .bearing pictorial representations, designs or otherinsigniaicorresponding to the words-and action of the phonographie record, a. miniature knockdown theatrical stagesetting, a-cOntainer for said record and figures designedalso as a background for the 'latter,'and means for retaining said containerinoperative relation to said stage. setting .a: part thereot when the stage..settingiis set, up soas to constitute a, background; before' which said" actor-fignresare to be placed and as to which and each ot-her'itheymay beinovedabout. in dramatically; representing the theme of the record.

2. An amusement,educational and advertising device comprising in combinationya phonograph record, a miniature; .knock down theatrical stage setting having a stage opening, :wmovable .or adjustable "actor-figures bearing pictorial representations, de-

signs or otherlinsignia corresponding to the.

words and actionof the phonograph record. a container envelope in which said record and figures, are received, and means for retaining .said container envelope in operative relation ,to said stage setting as a part of the background thereof when the stage settingis set up, said container envelope having, on the side then visible through the stage opening suitable artistic matter. suggestive ,of the theme of the record, and; said stage setting and actor-fig-- ures being'inade of cardboard of such size and contounas to be capable of compact assemblyiflatw ise with the record and the container envelope svith the record and actorfigures within'the container: envelope, when the stage setting .is in knock-down positioni.

The combination iota miniature knock. down theatridal stage setting having a stage opening and adapted, to be shipped flat, a stage platforin in rear of the stage opening, a container envelope for aphonograph I rezord,and means for securing said envee lope to said stage setting in contact with the stage --platt'oriii and in operative relation to the stage setting as a part of the background ot' the stage setting when the latter is set up in position of use and the stage. 1 opening unobstructed;

a. The combination of a miniature theatarical stage setting having a stageopenin .a stage platform-mrear of the stage open-i 1- ing having its rear edge curved, a container tor a phonograph record bearing artistic jet llitlttel" of the record, and means for releasably' retaining said record container in operative,relation to said stage setting in rear of saidstage opening and in contact with the rear edge of the stage platform in position to display said illustrative matter through the stage opening when the stage setting is set up and the stage opening unobstructed: I

A miniature knockdown theatrical stage setting havinga i'rontvmember con- -stitiitii'igt-l-ie stage 211011'HHClPIOVICllIIg the stage opening, aphonograph record con- I tainer envelope constituting a flexible back member opposed to the stageopeningand adapted to,occupysubstantially the plane "of the front niember but Wider than the ber constituting the stage arch and in which is located the stage opening, and means for holding the record container in supporting relation-to said front member and with its decorated POI'tJOiiili rear of and visible through the stage opening to serve as asuitable background in the performance of the record.-

7. The combination of a phonograph rec- .ord, a miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting pi'ovidedfwith means for supporting it in set up position for use, but adapted to be shipped flat and having a. front member constituting the stage arch and in which is located the stage opening, a flexible container envelope for said phonograph record longer than the width of the stage opening and adapted when flat to receive said record but when its parts have been reshaped con- :stituting-the back member of the stage setting when itsisset up, and means located at opposite sides oi the stage opening for holding the re-located empty container in a poillustrative matter suggestive of the subioo sition at the rear of the stage opening Where it extends from one side thereof to the other and encloses the entire stage space and constitutes the back member of the stage setting.

8. A miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, said front member having a flap foldable about the bottom edge of said stage opening to form the stage proper or platform, and a back member associated with said front member and located behind the stage opening, said back member when fiat being adapted to act as container for a phonograph record, and means for holding said back member when the record is removed in a position defined by the shape of the stage proper or platform and in which it is visible through the stage openin 9. The combination of a phonograph record, a miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, said front member having flaps foldable about the top and bottom edges of said stage opening, one forming the stage proper or platform, and the other the top of the stage, and a back member connected with said front member and located behind the stage opening, said member when flat being adapted to act as container for the phonograph record, bearing on the side facing the stage opening artistic illustrative matter suggestive of the theme or contents of said record and being adapted when said record is removed to be moved and held in position where it encloses the stage space.

10. A miniature knockdown theatrical stage setting provided with means for supporting it in set up position but adapted to be shipped fiat and having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, and a phonograph record container behind said front member having one of its ends secured to said front member and having its other end free, said container being adapted when flat to contain a phonegraph record and being flexible and of such extent as to be capable when said record has been removed of being re-shaped and moved into a position where it constitutes the back of the stage setting, and means for releasably securing the free end of the container in place in its new position.

11. A miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting provided with means for supporting it in set up position but adapted to be shipped flat and having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, and a phonograph record container behind said front member having one of its ends secured to said front member at one side of the stage opening, and having its other end free, said container being adapted when flat to contain a phonograph record and being flexible and capable when empty of being relocated in a position where it constitutes the back of the stage setting, and a keeper carried by the stage setting for releasablysecuring the free end of the container in place in its re-located position.

12. A miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, said front member having a flap provided with a supporting tongue and foldable about the bottom edge of said stage opening to form the stage proper or platform, and a back member associated with said front member and located behind the stage opening and having a slot adapted for coaction with said tongue when the parts are in set-up position to support the stage proper or platform, said back member when flat being adapted to act as container for a phonograph record, and means for holding said member when the record is removed in a position definedby the shape of the stage proper or platform and in which it is Visible through the stage opening. r

13. A miniature theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening. and a back member connected to said front member at one side of the stage opening opposed to the stage opening and materially longer than the widththereof thereby providing when re-located with its free end drawn in and secured adjacent the other, side of said stage opening then unobstructed a stage setting background. and constituting supporting means for the front member.

1a. A miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and the stage openin and a flexible appropriately decorated back member. adapted to occupy substantially the plane of the rest of thestage setting in knock-down position, but capable of being re-shaped into a continuous curved surface to form a panoramic the stage space, and means for holding the reshaped back member to the rest of the stage setting in rear of the stage opening and opposed thereto and in supporting relation to the front member.

15. A. miniature theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, and a flexible back member connected to said front member but having a free end and opposed to the stage opening and adapted to be flat but of such extent as to be capable of being re-shaped into an enclosure for the stage space, and means for retaining the back member in re-shaped position.

16. A miniature theatrical stage setting constituting a container for a phonograph background in rear of.

record and having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening and a flexible back member opposed to the stage opening and adapted to occupy substantially the plane of the rest of the stage setting but of such extent as to be capable, on removal of the phonograph record, of being relocated to form a background in rear of the stage space.

17. A miniature theatrical stage setting provided with supporting means but adapted to be shipped fiat and having flat front and back members, the front member cont aining the stage opening and the rear member an illustrated portion facing the stage opening, the rear member being flexible so as to be capable of being re-shaped to form a background in rear of the stage space presenting an unbroken picture visible through the stage opening when unobstructed.

18. A miniature theatrical stage setting having a fiat front member constituting the stage arch and in which is located the stage opening, and a flatflexible back member having a free end and longer than the width of the stage opening capable of being re-shaped to occupy a position other than flat at the rear of the stage opening where it extends from one side of said opening to the other and encloses the stage space, and means at opposite sides of the stage opening for connecting the re-shaped back member to the front member and for holding it in place.

19. A miniature theatrical stage setting having a front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening, said front member having a flap foldable about the bottom edge of said stage opening to form the stage proper of platform and a flexible back member associa ed with said front member and located behind the stage opening, and means for bold ing said back member in a position defined by the shape of the stage proper or platform and in which it is visible through the stage opening.

20. A miniature theatrical stage setting having a flat front member constituting the stage arch and containing the stage opening and a flat back member having one of its ends secured to the front member and having its other end free, said back memher being of such extent and character as to be capable of being reshaped to occupy a position other than flat behind the stage space where it serves as background, and means for releasably securing the free end of the re-shaped container to the front member.

21. The combination of a miniature theatrical stage setting with a phonograph record envelope bearing matter illustrative of the subject matter of said record and acting when flat as container for said record and when empty and re-located as background in said stage setting, and means for retaining said re-located envelope in the required relation to the rest of the stage setting.

22. A miniature knock-down theatrical stage setting having a stage arch and stage opening, a stage proper or platform, and a back ineuiber associated with said front member and located behind the stage opening, said back member when flat being adapted to act as container for a phonograph record, and means for holding said back member when the record is removed in a position defined by the shape of the stage proper or platform and in which it is visible through the stage opening.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

WILLIAM F. POYVERS. 

